Gender, Peace and Security Policy Roundtable Series

With the generous support of the Embassy of Liechtenstein in Washington, D.C., WIIS facilitates a series of expert roundtables to explore the gender dimensions of key security challenges. These roundtables provide a forum to bring together a diverse group of experts and policymakers to advance gender considerations in security policy deliberations. WIIS reflects and disseminates key roundtable takeaways and expert recommendations through policy briefs and framing papers.

Roundtables:

24 June 2020: Perspectives of the UN at 75

This roundtable focused on Perspectives of the UN at 75 years and how best to move forward. We focused on a range of current issues including: gender equality, climate change, health and security.

22 April 2020: Combating Corruption in Environmental Crimes

Women In International Security (WIIS) and the Embassy of Liechtenstein held a conversation on Combating Corruption in Environmental Crimes. This unique and critical discussion engaged with the evolving frontline of Environmental Crimes. , and the role of women and gender in combating corruption. The diverse expertise of the speakers contributed to a range of perspectives on this complex topic

5 February 2020: A Woman’s Place: US Counterterrorism Since 9/11 Policy Roundtable

This policy roundtable focuses on gender and counterterrorism. A panel of experts in this field discussed the current state of countering violent extremism, the gender dimensions at play, and how to best move forward.We were joined by Dr. Joana Cook, author of the new book “A Woman’s Place: US Counterterrorism Since 9/11,” Seamus Hughes of the George Washington University Program on Extremism, and Lauren Protentis, communications and national security expert.

25 July 2019: US Strategy on Women, Peace and Security Policy Roundtable

This policy roundtable discussed the Trump Administration’s June 2019 Strategy on Women, Peace and Security. A panel of expert scholars and civil society leaders critically evaluated this plan as well as strategize mechanisms to support a smooth and effective implementation process.

11 July 2019: Gender and Great Power Competition Policy Roundtable

On July 11, 2019, WIIS and the Embassy of Liechtenstein held a policy roundtable conversation. An expert panel examined the present state of great power competition, evaluated chief actors and dynamics, and explored the gender dimensions of this most pressing international security matter.

2 May 2019: Right Wing and Religious Violent Extremism Policy Roundtable

This policy roundtable focused on right-wing and religious violent extremism. Panelists explored the relationship between the global rise in right-wing/violent extremism and authoritarianism/ populism. Furthermore, the group discussed the role of gender and gender norms in explaining the movement.

6 March 2019: Women In Politics: Challenges and Opportunities

The fifth roundtable in the series continued November’s discussion of women in politics as the 116th Congress settled in. Women make up 24% of seats of the 116th Congress, cementing the legislature as the most gender-inclusive in US history. We heard from Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and a panel of experts about the challenges and opportunities facing women in politics. We also discussed the implementation of the Women, Peace Security Act passed by the 115th Congress.

28 November 2019: Women In Politics

The fourth roundtable in the series discussed the role of women in politics given the historic demographic achievements of the 116th Congress. A record number of women ran for and won US office in 2018. With a panel of expert panelists, we discussed what implications this trend has for future female participation in politics, both here in the United States and around the globe. Our panel furthermore explored both the obstacles and opportunities shaping the electoral landscape for women and considered what role political parties, states, and civil society actors can play in opening up the field to future female candidates.

26 April 2018: Climate Change: The Gender Dimensions

The third roundtable in the series discussed the gender dimensions of climate change. The discussion examined how climate change impacts men and women, to what extent national and international policies have integrated these gender dimensions, and identified gaps. The experts also discussed the state of research and how the Women, Peace and Security Agenda intersects with scholarship and programs addressing climate change.

15 March 2018: People on the Move: The Gender Dimensions of Migration, Refugee Crises, and Human Trafficking

The second roundtable in the series discussed the movement of people and the gender dimensions and effects of voluntary and forced migration. The discussion asked if the current international and national legal and political frameworks and institutions adapt to the changing nature of the movement of people in the 21st century. Additionally, gender has historically been neglected by policymakers when considering how to address the many problems that migrants and refugees face, particularly how to combat human trafficking. Although the situation is improving, the gender dimensions of each phenomenon – and how they intersect – are still woefully understudied and dismissed. The discussion focused on how the Women, Peace and Security Agenda intersect with the migratory and refugee and human trafficking agendas.

18 September 2017: Gender Dimensions of Security in the Horn of Africa

The first roundtable in the series discussed Gender, Peace, and Security. For this discussion, the discussion focused on gender dimensions of security challenges in Kenya and the Horn of Africa. Panelists examined the role of gender in traditional security challenges such as terrorism and armed conflict, as well as non-traditional, human security issues such as human rights and climate change. Experts discussed the gender-related violence against the record number of female candidates in Kenya’s recent elections and efforts to increase female political participation.

Policy Briefs

Read policy briefs from the series here and check back for updates on upcoming publications.